A fine choice for both young and older, less-skilled readers.
Edmund Hillary is generally recognized as the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest; his Nepalese climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay, has received far less attention.
In brief chapters, Herman first describes early efforts to scale Everest, one of which led to the deaths of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine in 1924. She includes basic information about the many challenges climbers faced: poor equipment, avalanche danger, extreme cold and severe storms, and, especially, oxygen deprivation at high altitudes. Biographical information about Mallory, Norgay, and Hillary adds context to their intrepid, driven efforts. Information about the essential role played by numerous skilled Sherpas adds a multicultural element. The rest of this engaging nonfiction tale focuses on Hillary and Norgay's shared climb, truly a team effort that the two men spent most of their lives preparing for. Appealing cover art and a high-interest topic that pairs well with other recent Everest-focused books help make this an easy sell for reluctant readers. Follow-up information on the surviving climbers, a description of a 50th-anniversary expedition to the summit by the sons of Norgay and Hillary in 2003, a list of Mount Everest records, and maps and illustrations (not available for review) round out a balanced and entertaining presentation.
A fine choice for both young and older, less-skilled readers. (Nonfiction. 7-14)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-553-50986-1
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: June 5, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
This absorbing history examines the lives and work of eight innovators in the design and manufacture of musical instruments. From Avedis Zildjian, who brought his family’s centuries-old cymbal-making business from Turkey to Boston, to Robert Moog, whose electronic synthesizer rocked the music world, VanHecke’s portraits celebrate the inquisitive scientific tinkering, dedication to craft and business moxie that rendered Steinway pianos, Hammond organs and Fender guitars both household names and performers’ favorites. The writing’s freshest when VanHecke changes it up with bits of cultural trivia, like Beatles lore. (It’s dullest when awash in the minutiae of cousins, marriages and succession.) Examining the effect of the Great Depression, the World Wars and immigration on these family businesses vibrantly contextualizes those issues for kids. Numerous well-captioned photos and period illustrations, sidebars and clearly labeled diagrams of the musical instruments expertly extend the text. Students and teachers of music are the natural audience for this unique treatment. (introduction, endnote, quotation sources, bibliographies, websites, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)
Pub Date: April 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59078-574-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: April 9, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
To a boy like Steinberg, who grew up with action figures and three-inch-tall president statues who battled it out, it made perfect sense to create matchups between presidents and football games. Barack Obama is the 44th president, and early in his presidency came the 44th Super Bowl, so why not match each president with a Super Bowl game? President Washington, it turns out, wins round one: a monumental presidency, a letdown of a football game. Joe Montana led the San Francisco 49ers over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 16, but he didn’t free the slaves—“It’s Abraham Lincoln in a walkover.” There were no scandals in game 37, so score a win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Richard Nixon. Each spread represents a game, with plenty of pictures and speech bubbles, as well as a scoreboard. Based on the America Bowl blog, this admittedly lightweight volume will teach a bit about presidents and football while offering the pure fun and goofiness intended by the author. (appendix) (Nonfiction. 7-12)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-683-1
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Flash Point/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2010
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